Man with cerebral palsy has wheelchair ramp stolen off porch

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich.(WJBK) - Who would steal a disabled man's wheelchair ramp? Police are looking for the cruel criminal right now.

Tuesday marked the first day of school and the Click family is doing their best to make a smooth transition for their son.

"Andy is 21 with cerebral palsy and epilepsy," said his mother Jo Click. "He is nonverbal. he is developmental delayed."

Andy relies on his parents for nearly everything. That includes getting him and his wheelchair to and from the bus. The stress of a new school year is enough for any parent. But on Tuesday morning, Andy was stuck.

"When he got home from school, Andy and I had a very difficult time trying to get him in the house, which is why he is building something until the new ramp shows up," Click said.

Anew one is needed because the old wheelchair ramp was stolen- right off the porch.

"It was the middle of the afternoon on a Sunday on a holiday weekend," she said. "I don't understand. We've never had any problems here."

One of the more puzzling aspects is where the crime took place. The Click's home is at the end of a dead end street in Dearborn Heights. So anyone driving down there would likely have a reason to come down there, the question the family has, is why?

"I'm very frustrated that people could be so inconsiderate," Click said.

The stolen ramp was given to them by surprise 10 years ago.

"It was gifted to us from the Christopher Reeves Foundation," Click said. "One of the nurses at Children's Hospital submitted an application for us," she said. "We didn't even know it was coming."

And while they were on the back patio Sunday afternoon, the aluminum fold up ramp was taken.

And so was a critical aspect of getting Andy back on routine, which his mom says is critical to his quality of life.

"Once you get to know him, Andy has a strong personality," his mother said.

The family has ordered a new ramp and filed a police report. They are just hopeful that whomever stole the ramp comes to their senses and brings it back where it belongs.